U-20 AFCON: Sweden-Based Paschal Replaces Injured Okoh

Flying Eagles coach Paul Aigbogun has drafted in Vaxjo United FC of Sweden, forward Onyekachi Durugbor Paschal in to replace injured Victor Boniface Okoh in Nigeria’s squad for next month’s  U-20 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Niger Republic, reports Completesports.com.

The team’s administrator Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal told thenff.com on Thursday that medical examination on Real Sapphire FC striker Okoh revealed he had knee injury that would keep him out for between four and six weeks and meant he cannot be part of the U-20 AFCON finals.

Paschal who has scored once in two games for his club would now shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals for the seven-time African champions in Niger Republic along with Adamu Alhassan, Yahaya Nazifi, Ibrahim Aliyu, Adeshina Gata, Ibrahim Abubakar, and Effiom Maxwell.

The Flying Eagles will face host nation Niger Republic, South Africa and Burundi in Group A of the 15–day championship, with matches to take place in Niamey and Maradi. 

Paul Aigbogun’s wards play their first match against Burundi on February 2, before further group phase games against South Africa and Niger Republic on 5th February and 8th February respectively.

Nigeria have been triumphant at  U-20 AFCON in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.

The Flying Eagles finished as the first runners–up at the global stage in 1989 and 2005 and won bronze medal in 1985.